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Guide to Sydney, Australia
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Sydney
Australias oldest city, and one of the most beautiful in the world, Sydney is a place of iconic sights, exciting nightlife, expansive boulevards cooled by harbour breezes, and easygoing park-life with plenty of cultural attractions. It is home to Sydney Opera House, one of the worlds most instantly recognisable structures and is the perfect place to take it easy.
How To Get There
Sydney airport receives flights from all over the world, and is only six miles outside of the city. Theres no shortage of transport options to get you into town. Trains are provided by the Airport Link service, and buses are operated by Airport Express and Kingsford Smith Transport/Airporter. Car rentals and taxis are available from the terminal.
Travelling Around
Most travellers in the city centre get around on the underground train loop. For travel around greater Sydney, most commuters rely on the efficient bus system or taxis, although cabs arent cheap.
When To Go
Sydney is one of the sunniest cities in Australia, and while weather is good for most of the year, summer humidity and showers are common from December through to February. Spring can be rainy too. We recommend autumn when the air is warm and the breezes are calm.
What To See
If beach life is your thing, head straight out to Bondi Beach - the most popular waterside location in Sydney. Theres lots to see and do, from fried food joints to vendors hawking tie-dye shirts. A short walk from the beach will take you to an alcove where you can see some beautiful Aboriginal engravings.
Sydneys Circular Quay is the hub of tourism. Here youll find your typical shops, parks and restaurants, as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Sydney Opera House. You can easily spend a few hours or even a day here, especially if you catch a free outdoor concert at the Opera House. Take an evening stroll around the harbour for some fantastic views across the water as the sun sets.
For those with a good heads for heights, we recommend the Sydney Skywalk. A viewing platform 260 metres high takes guests out on a limb from the Sydney Tower for great views over the city.
Sydney Aquarium is Australias number one attraction, so its definitely worth a look. It has 11,500 animals, and favourite features include a seal sanctuary and Great Barrier Reef exhibition. Carry on with the nature theme at Taronga Zoo.
Hotspot
For something a bit different, pay a visit to the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour near Chinatown.
The garden was designed in Sydney's sister city Guangzhou to resemble the private gardens of the Ming Dynasty, and symbolises Sydneys multicultural ethos. It was officially opened in 1988 as part of Sydney's bicentennial festivities, and was named in celebration of Australias bond with China.Take some time to chill out and wander past the scenic lake. Look out for the Dragon Wall which sybolises the relationship between New South Wales and Guangzhou, as well as the Water Pavillion of Lotus Fragrance and the Twin Pavillion. Stop for some traditional Chinese refreshment at the Tea House.
Night Life
Sydneysiders are proud of their varied and buzzing nightlife. Whether you fancy catching a concert at the Opera House, or living it up in a trendy bar, youll never be at a loss for something to do once the sun goes down. There is a thriving gay scene especially around Oxford Street.
See NightLifeSydney for full listings.
fast facts
- a resident of the city is known as a Sydneysider
- Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales
- it is the site of the first European colony in Australia, established in 1788
- Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world
- eight out of Australias ten most popular tourist attractions are in Sydney
Quick HistoryThe Sydney region has been populated for at least 30,000 years. When the first European settlers arrived in 1788, the native Aborigines were calling the area Eora. British sea captain Lieutenant James Cook landed in Botany Bay in 1770. Arthur Phillip arrived in 1788 to set up prisoner colonies but moved to Port Jackson where the land was better. The colony was named after British Home Secretary, Thomas Townshend, Lord Sydney. British and Irish convicts built roads, bridges, wharves and public buildings and by 1822 the town had banks, markets and a police force. Urban development through the 1830s and 40s was helped by British and Irish immigration and Sydney was named as the first city in Australia on 20th July 1842. Gold rushes and industrialisation pushed Sydney into the 20th century. The city suffered during the Great Depression but the completion of the Harbour Bridge in 1932 lifted spirits. European and Asian immigrants boosted the population and economy following World War II, making Sydney the diverse and cosmopolitan metropolis it is today.
Money
Up-to-date exchange rates can be found here.
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